Gaming

Detroit: Become Human review: Create-your-own-adventures are back

This is your story

Published

May 30, 2018

Luigi Leonardo

Throughout video game history, the element of choice has never factored prominently towards a game’s progress. Even with an abundance of gameplay elements, video games always corral you to its own desired ending.

With Detroit: Become Human, developer Quantic Dream completely leaves that option to you. Besides a unique cinematic experience, Detroit brings a complete create-your-own-adventure set inside a near-future sci-fi world.

Welcome to Detroit

Like its predecessors Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls, Detroit: Become Human mixes its plot seamlessly with its gameplay. Because both are so intertwined, it becomes impossible to talk about one without the other.

Detroit brings us to its eponymous city in 2038. Despite being set two decades into the future, the Motor City doesn’t differ greatly from how it is now. Cars, houses, and clothing styles strangely look the same. However, for all its similarities, the Detroit (and everywhere else) of the future differs in one crucial aspect: artificially intelligent androids exist.

As predicted, humanity has invented compliant and intelligent robots that can do our bidding as servants, companions, and even occasional lovers. Unfortunately, things aren’t as smooth as they seem. Everywhere, androids have started to rebel against their masters. Humanity would call them “deviants.”

In Detroit, you control three androids portrayed through their own respective points of view. Connor is a prototype police android tasked with investigating why androids are turning deviant. Kara is a housewife managing an abusive father’s house and his daughter. Markus is a companion robot caring for an aging artist.

Three-in-one

With three characters, Quantic Dream created three distinct perspectives to separate each story from the other. Besides three collaborative ones, each chapter takes on a different tone and theme.

From gameplay elements to the soundtrack, each perspective is its own story. Even if you isolate them as separate stories, they can still exist individually as an adequately drawn game.

For the most part, every character is isolated in its own world. Detroit successfully created different moods for each story. Connor’s story and gameplay takes on a CSI vibe. Kara’s story has a more familial vibe. Finally, Markus’ story has a more revolutionary tone.

Sigh-filled sci-fi

A well-written science fiction story is always an excellent medium to depict a cautionary tale of the future a la Black Mirror. Like that show, Detroit starts off with an optimistic, well-rounded vision of the almost-near future. In that vision, androids have elevated humanity into new technological levels.

Unfortunately, this breath of fresh air eventually degrades to an on-the-nose civil rights story. From the onset, Detroit already hints that android rights lack the same modicum of respect that human rights do.

While civil rights stories shine in the spotlight today, Detroit hammers it down a little too much. Case in point, the story’s android rights movement uses too much historic taglines like “we have a dream” and “we think therefore we are.” Despite its create-your-own nature, Detroit really wants you to care about its androids.

For what it’s worth, its background worldbuilding excels. Through in-game magazines and TV screens, the game explores other facets of 2038’s world — politics, sports, interpersonal relationships, and transportation.

Do choices really matter?

Thankfully, yes. As with Quantic Dream’s other games, Detroit features a vast river of branching paths. Every decision — whether major or trivial — affects future chapters. Even missing a single slip of paper in one scene blocks you from significant decisions in future scenes.

Despite the allure of unlocking every option possible, the game naturally blocks you from achieving — or at least, unlocking — every option. Some scenes even lock users into time limits, both explicitly shown and hidden.

Further, developers have also highlighted the game’s permadeath options. A persistent worry, however, is if Detroit will have copouts when it deals with death. Thankfully, death is a real option in the game. In my first playthrough, a key character didn’t make it to the end credits. While there are some copout moments, permadeaths for both side and main characters remain a possibility throughout.

Fortunately, Detroit shows you which branches and options you’ve unlocked during your playthrough. The developers adamantly encourage gamers to finish a playthrough first before backtracking into new branches. However, the temptation to replay a chapter is always there.

Press X to pay respects

Unlike most games, Detroit does not have a standard verb set. Besides the traditional movement stick and some interfaces, there are no dedicated run, use, and shoot buttons. Random prompts often appear to perform certain actions.

Usually, this isn’t a problem. In a laidback investigation portion, prompts are easy enough to decipher. However, as is the norm with Quantic Dream, the game also includes nerve-wracking quick-time events (QTEs) to get through action and chase scenes. While this is the best use of the janky controls, it’s not the best way to tell a story. The harried pressure to press the right button in time often takes away from the game’s cinematic element.

Realistic dolls in an empty dollhouse

The video game industry has come a long way from the polygonal character designs of yesteryear. Detroit pushes that boundary even further with its motion-captured performances. From cinematic cutscenes to trivial fidgets, Quantic Dream created extraordinarily realistic characters. The three main characters even share an uncanny likeness with the actual actors who play them.

Unfortunately, Detroit’s background visuals are less desirable. With interactable elements scattered throughout a scene, the game often plays out like an old-school point-and-click adventure game. However, they lack the random charm of those lovable games. Besides the actual objectives, Detroit’s backgrounds feel blank and empty. Even if they’re filled with details and background actors, neither Connor, Kara, nor Markus can interact with them other than just walking past. For a game that puts the premium on character design, Detroit falls short on delivering a thriving physical world.

Regardless, with its choice-driven narrative and superb character design, Detroit: Become Human marks a turning point for video games. It opens the industry as a medium for cinematic but interactive storytelling.

Despite its flaws, Detroit: Become Human is still a loving homage to the choose-your-own-adventures and point-and-click games of before.

Related Topics:Detroit: Become Human Quantic Dream

Gaming

Now Playing: Elden Ring Tarnished Edition

Is the Switch 2 port worth the price?

Published

September 4, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

How do you review one of the greatest games of all time?

Elden Ring is one of those games that needs no introduction. Launched in 2022, the difficult fantasy RPG rapidly skyrocketed into the year’s top spot. Then, it got even better with 2024’s Shadow of the Erdtree, a sizable DLC that packed in a new map with new challenges. Now, I’ve reviewed both and found them well worth the price of admission. So, what else is there to say?

Well, late last month, Elden Ring launched its much-awaited port for the Switch 2 through a Tarnished Edition, a bundle that conveniently pairs the base game with the DLC in one package. In an instant, there are now two new things to talk about: How well does the game perform on a Switch 2? What does the Tarnished Edition add?

Is Elden Ring worth getting for the Switch 2?

Compared to the original Switch, the second Switch features a way better processor. Games aren’t locked to the limitations of yesteryear: 720p resolution, 30fps. However, the Switch 2 still isn’t the best console for chasing performance. Personally, I’ve been using it almost exclusively for first-party Nintendo games and older (and smaller) titles.

That said, Nintendo has grandiose dreams for its latest console. Starting with Cyberpunk 2077, the console wants to be a home for modern games, too, and Elden Ring is the perfect candidate for that.

Naturally, a Switch 2 port can fill fans with consternation especially after they’ve experienced the legendary game on more powerful consoles. Is the Switch 2 a good match?

Yes, if you don’t mind playing at 30fps. Unfortunately, Elden Ring is locked to only 30fps on the console. Though a good chunk of the population is clearly fine with the framerate, it’s a bit of a struggle for me especially in handheld mode.

Maybe it’s my aging eyes, but having a game so close to my face but locked at 30fps doesn’t make for a good time. I got dizzy pretty quickly. It also didn’t help that the handheld mode had several stutters.

As with other games on the platform, docked mode had significant improvements. Sure, it’s still locked at 30fps, but a consistent framerate is much better than a stuttering one. Despite the downgrade, the Switch 2 can handle the game well.

Is the Tarnished Edition worth getting?

Most FromSoftware games will get a complete edition eventually. All of the Dark Souls titles got one, and Elden Ring is no exception.

The biggest difference here is that the Tarnished Edition is technically exclusive to the Switch 2. It’s the only package available for the console. It includes the base game, the expansion pack, two new starting classes, new skins for Torrent, and new armors. It’s the most comprehensive way to play the entirety of Elden Ring, excepting Nightreign.

If you’re on another platform, the Tarnished Edition updates — the new classes, skins, and armors — are available only through a Tarnished Pack purchased separately. Is it worth the price?

The most exciting part of the update is the addition of two new classes: Heavy Knight and Idus Knight. For me, I prefer the Heavy Knight, a hardy class focused on heavy armor, endurance, and strength. It’s a very straightforward class for those who prefer direct damage. Idus Knight, on the other hand, focuses on dexterity and faith, if you prefer playing with quicker attacks and miracles.

The rest, in my opinion, is just cherry on top. The new armor and customization options are nice to have, but I don’t have a strong feeling that it’s worth the price of an extra DLC.

Is Elden Ring Tarnished Edition your PlayMatch?

As I said, it’s hard to review the special edition or a port of a universally acclaimed game. Focusing on the minutiae of performance and slight upgrades doesn’t feel like it does Elden Ring justice. The game earned 2022’s Game of the Year for a reason.

That said, I can’t recommend Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree enough. If you haven’t played it yet and only have a Switch 2, the Tarnished Edition gets a Swipe Right and a Super Swipe.

However, if you’ve already finished the game and have no intention of playing it elsewhere (especially on a potentially weaker platform), this gets a Swipe Left. You can shell out a few bucks for the Tarnished Pack, though, if you really want to support the game.

Gaming

The original PlayStation gets the LEGO treatment

The original PlayStation is now a LEGO set.

Published

September 4, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Remember the original PlayStation? The gray box that introduced an entire generation to 3D gaming is now getting rebuilt — one LEGO brick at a time.

LEGO and PlayStation have revealed the LEGO PlayStation, a 1,911-piece set that recreates the original console and its controller in near 1:1 scale.

The set celebrates more than 30 years of PlayStation history. Once built, the console measures over 6cm high, 26cm wide, and 19cm deep.

It isn’t just a static display piece, either. You can press the Power and Open buttons, while the included original-style controller can plug into the front of the console.

And if that wasn’t nostalgic enough, there’s more hiding inside.

There are two games inside

Opening the LEGO PlayStation reveals two miniature dioramas inspired by classic games from the original PlayStation era.

The first pays tribute to Gran Turismo, which debuted on PlayStation in 1997. It recreates a miniature racing scene with tiny cars and customizable elements.

The second takes inspiration from Ape Escape, which launched in 1999. Its island-themed diorama includes the game’s iconic monkey helmet, complete with a swappable blue or red light.

Both dioramas can be removed from the console and displayed separately.

LEGO also opted for the original PlayStation controller instead of the later DualShock. That makes sense for a set centered on the hardware that launched the PlayStation brand in 1994.

Coming this October

The LEGO PlayStation carries product number 72306 and is designed for builders aged 18 and up.

LEGO Insiders get early access starting October 1, 2026. Everyone else can pick it up beginning October 4 through LEGO.com, LEGO Stores, and select retailers.

The set costs $179.99 in the US, €159.99 in Europe, and £139.99 in the UK.

PlayStation will also sell it through PlayStation Direct starting October 1 in select markets, including the US, UK, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

At nearly 1:1 scale, with working buttons, a plug-in controller, and two games hiding inside, the LEGO PlayStation is more than another piece of gaming memorabilia.

It’s basically a tiny reminder of where PlayStation started — just don’t expect it to play your old discs.

Gaming

NBA 2K’s MyCAREER needs to play the long game

The next level of NBA 2K27’s MyCAREER?

Published

September 4, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Six or seven hours into NBA 2K27’s MyCAREER, I found myself thinking about what happens next.

Not just the next chapter of Fire & Concrete. I mean what happens after I make it to the NBA. What kind of career can my player actually have?

That question kept getting louder the more I played.

NBA 2K has spent years refining the fantasy of building your own player. We’ve had different stories, progression systems, and ways to get into the league. Now, MyCAREER Eras lets us drop that player into some of the most iconic periods in NBA history.

But I think there’s a bigger idea hiding in there.

What if MyCAREER actually let me live a career?

I don’t mean making the mode longer for the sake of it. Give the basketball enough room to tell the story.

I don’t want less basketball. I want the basketball itself to become the RPG.

Fire & Concrete has a good foundation

I’m still making my way through Fire & Concrete, but the fact that I was itching to get back to it tells me something.

It’s nothing too new or major, but it’s engaging enough. There’s more basketball this time, too. For the most part, you’re watching cutscenes or playing basketball.

I get why 2K has gone in that direction. Most NBA 2K players probably want to spend more time hooping than walking around doing side activities.

Still, there is room for more.

I’d love for the story to stretch into the NBA portion of MyCAREER instead of ending once you make it there. Give me choices that actually shape my career.

Even the little things could use more personality. I miss the days of Freq and Prez. Calling everyone MP for years just doesn’t have the same personality.

Give me less SGA and more Great Barrier Thief.

Let me earn my way into the NBA

The Draft could also be a much bigger part of the fantasy.

I haven’t reached it in my own playthrough yet, but I’ve seen that you can choose where you play anyway. That’s convenient, but I’d rather have more of a process.

Give me target teams. Let teams express interest. Put me through workouts and interviews, then let my performances influence where I land.

Maybe I dominate a workout and move up a team’s board. Maybe I struggle and fall to the second round. And maybe I don’t get drafted and have to fight through the G League.

Multiple paths would make each MyCAREER feel different.

More importantly, my path to the NBA should affect the career that follows.

Make the basketball part of the RPG

I don’t want NBA 2K to become a giant RPG where I’m spending hours managing menus and relationships instead of playing basketball.

The basketball itself should be the RPG.

Start me somewhere. Maybe I’m a fringe rotation player or a second-round pick. Perhaps I’m a highly touted lottery selection.

Then let me play my way forward.

Year one could be about earning a rotation spot. Year two might mean becoming a starter. By year three, perhaps I’m an All-Star. Later seasons can bring bigger expectations, roster changes, injuries, championships, and the question of what kind of player I want to become.

That’s progression that means something beyond XP and VC.

Running Mate shows the potential

The Running Mate system gave me a glimpse of what this could look like.

At first, I found the objectives with Trace Miller annoying. Then I realized they were forcing me to be more deliberate and play better team basketball.

That’s a pretty neat tutorial for someone like me, especially since I built an Athletic Iso Savant who would rather create his own shot.

The co-op MyCAREER concept points in the same direction. I didn’t get enough time with a second player to properly judge it, but even the early objectives made me think about being a better teammate.

Imagine if those relationships evolved over several seasons. Your Running Mate could become a lifelong teammate, get traded, or force you to adjust your game as the roster changes.

The career itself can create the drama.

Let the progression breathe

The starting rating of 60 is rough. If you don’t want to spend extra, you can grind activities like Casual Corner to reach the 73–75 range, where your player starts feeling like an actual NBA prospect.

But I’m not convinced the answer is simply starting everyone higher.

A 60 rating can make sense. The bigger issue is balancing progression for different kinds of players.

Some people have time to grind every game. Others don’t. Some will spend to speed things up. Others won’t.

NBA 2K27 already has Key Games, which lets you move through a season faster. The tradeoff is slower progression if you only play those.

I think that can work.

Want to become a Rookie MVP? Put in the work. Play more games. Perform better.

Want a more realistic career? Take your time and build your role naturally over several seasons.

That’s where MyCAREER Eras could really shine.

MyCAREER Eras is the Hail Mary

Introducing MyCAREER Eras showed me a potential time-travel, player-locked sandbox that’s waiting to be expanded upon.

I look at those historical eras and immediately think:

How else am I gonna help Allen Iverson get a ring?

That’s the kind of fantasy I want from NBA 2K.

The problem is that I can’t simply take my leveled-up build and jump into another era without having to level that build again through grinding or buying VC.

That’s the part that really rubbed me the wrong way.

If MyCAREER Eras is supposed to be an offline historical sandbox, it feels like the perfect place to take some of the live-service friction away.

Let me pick an era. Let me pick a year. And then let me bring in my player at the rating I’ve already earned.

Then let me play.

The City can remain the online, competitive side of NBA 2K. That’s clearly what a lot of players want, and that’s fine. It’s just not really my thing.

Give me an offline MyCAREER Eras sandbox focused on playing basketball and building a career.

And make it long.

What if I could stay for five years?

This is probably the biggest change I’d want.

Let me play a full five-year NBA career with my player. Not because 2K needs to artificially stretch the mode, but because the career itself should evolve.

Maybe I start as a nobody and finish as a franchise player. Perhaps I get drafted by the wrong team and have to fight for a bigger role. Maybe I never become a superstar and instead become a sixth man who wins a championship.

Maybe I become D-Rose’s Running Mate to a championship or two.

That’s where the fantasy becomes personal.

My suggested tweaks still need work. I’m not pretending I’ve figured out the perfect version of MyCAREER.

But MyCAREER Eras showed me something bigger than the feature itself: 2K has the beginnings of a time-travel, player-locked sandbox just waiting to be expanded.